Authored by: Ron Cottick, CPC, CHRM
In a previous BLOG, JOB SEARCH: When the shoe drops, you go into JOB SEARCH mode, I made a brief reference to research. I asked the question “now that you know what you want to do, who do you know want to do it with”? Here is where I am going to expand on the subject of RESEARCH so you know how to find what you are looking for and who you want to target.
All companies list in their profile with research sources what is known as a SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) code and an NAICS (North American Industry Classification) code. These codes are very informative in helping you with your research.
Here is what you do to find the codes and how they help you:
1. Research your own company to see what codes your company lists for themselves
2. Take those codes and research companies who list the same codes
3. The companies you find using the same codes are the competitors of your own company
and are your targets for your job search
Where do you go to find all this information? There are several sources you can search on the internet. Start with:
Thomas Registry Directory http://www.thomasnet.com/
For the non- member you can still get valuable information
Search your company name
- Under the profile you will see the product they manufacture or service they provide
- Under Product/Service enter the product you are associated with; the result you will get is
the Product/Service category match
This is your target list to research
- Click on your choice of category to research the companies in each match
- Under each choice you will see companies
EXAMPLE:
- Company tab
- In Search put: KAUTEX
- Check the profile (Manufacturer of plastic blow molded fuel tanks)
- Product/Service tab
- In Search put: blow molded tanks
- RESULT:
o The Product/Service Category Match
o Click a category for the company list
o Chose your company to research
o You can research their web site, check their product line, their size, their career/jobs
and the contact us tab to approach about employment
NOTE:
Using your company as a lead into your research, the companies you source will be competitors of your company and logical places to exploit your talents.
Do not forget to focus on the technologies where your interest, education and/or experience will fit versus just the product line.
Hoovers (a Dunn and Bradstreet company) http://www.hoovers.com/
For the non – member you can still get valuable information
Search your company name on the Companies tab
The result should be:
- Company information
- Executive (some companies list them, some do not)
- A link for more companies in related industries
- The line of business
- The top competitors
The company overview page will likely have all the information you are looking for but the People and Competition tabs across the top of the overview page may have additional information of value to you.
NOTE:
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different key search words.
Manta http://www.manta.com/
For the non – member you can still get valuable information
Go to
- Browse companies, click US or chose your state
- In search put your company name
- Click on company name
- RESULT:
o Company profile
o Business categories
o Some Company contacts (this information is usually optional for a company to provide)
o Related searches; click link to see all companies link in your category; click state of
preference to find competitors
o Related companies; click on company link, takes you to that company profile
ReferenceUSA http://www.referenceusa.com/
A subscription database available free to you through your local library (most smaller libraries do not subscribe for you to access because of cost). If your local does not subscribe go to your nearest larger city library that subscribes, get a library card to access. You will not be disappointed. If you want tips on how to use it, contact me.
DISCLAIMER:
On each of these research sites the company overview page view and information available will vary with some companies offering more information than others.
AND NOW FOR MORE:
When using SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) or NAICS codes (North American Industry Classification):
GREAT SITE:
Websters Online http://www.webstersonline.com/
Using tab Company Name
- Search your company
- Takes you to the Product/Service tab (will see company info)
- Click company profile link
- RESULT:
o Get SIC and NAICS codes
o You can click the links to see the competitors in that SIC/NAICS code
o Clicking the link in related categories will give you the same result as clicking the code
link
o Clicking the competitor company name gives you that companies information
NOTE:
You can also get a list of SIC codes from this site that may help you take other directions.
All examples done here are on the premise you do not know all the competitors of your company nor the product categories or SIC/NAICS codes of your company or its competitors.
LINKEDIN
Without being a member you will not have access to additional information such as key people in a company, however, you can search Linkedin for people who work at or have worked at your companies of choice. You can contact them to network with or get information from. Linkedin is an excellent source for research and networking. You may be surprised who you find out there.
There you have it. You now have some excellent resources to research from and some examples to help you navigate their sites. I would add one more item for you to consider when you do research as well as your JOB SEARCH; do an excel spreadsheet to track your activity. That way you will not lose track of what you are doing and you can use it to log information.
Referencing this BLOG as with all others I encourage you to bookmark this site as a favorite to come back often and to TELL A FRIEND!
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